About the Collaborative

Racine Lifecourse Initiative for Healthy Families is a project of the Greater Racine Collaborative for Healthy Birth Outcomes convened by Racine Kenosha Community Action Agency (RKCAA), Inc. The Collaborative consists of organizations that have united to express one voice in eliminating racial disparity in African American birth outcomes. The goals of the Collaborative are:

• Reduce fetal and infant mortality 20% by 2019• Reduce prematurity 20% by 2019

Making A Difference

Community Report Card 2016-2018: Working to

reduce infant mortality

Source: Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services

10.3 10.710.1

9.3

8.2 8.28.8

9.310.2

11.1

5.96.8

5.4

6.8

4.8 4.8

5.9 5.6

7.3 6.9

19.319.9

20.4

17

14.8 15.1 14.7

16.817.3

21.5

10.4

8.7

6.6

5.3

7.3 7.56.6 6.8 6.6

7.6

0

5

10

15

20

25

2005-2007 2006-2008 2007-2009 2008-2010 2009-2011 2010-2012 2011-2013 2012-2014 2013-2015 2014-2016

City of Racine Infant Mortality (Death per 1,000 Live Births) 3-Year Rolling Averages

City Average White (Non-Hispanic) Black/African American (Non-Hispanic) Hispanic

THERE IS MORE WORK TO BE DONE!

As illustrated on page one of the Report Card, infant mortality and preterm birth rates for families have experienced an increase overtime. In order to address this trend, we must as a community continue to implement strategies identified by the Collaborative and the broader community.

ADOLESCENT HEALTH The overall goal of the Adolescent Health Project is to improve the health of African American and Hispanic youth in the Racine community. Some curable sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted illnesses (STDs/STIs) can be dangerous if not treated. Untreated STDs/STIs during adolescence can pose serious health risks for childbearing women later in life. In 2017, RKCAA’s specific objective was to foster community leadership and strengthen coordination of programs to reduce unintended teen pregnancy, STDs, ethnic/racial disparities in sexual health outcomes, risky behaviors and promote optimal health for teens, ages 10- 19.

Teens enjoying the 2nd Annual Healthy Teen Fair

Outcomes• Over 200 people attended and nine vendors

participated in the 2017 and 2018 HealthyTeen Fairs

• Forty-four parents attended an educationalworkshop entitled Communicating With Your Teensin 2018

• Five Get Yourself Tested (GYT) events were held and 89 youth and adults were tested in 2016 and 2018

• Seventy-three teens attended workshops on STDs/STIs Prevention, Healthy Relationships and MakingWise Choices in 2017 and 2018

0

50

100

150

200

250

2014 2015 2016 2017*

56 6249 44

171155 149

214

3521

67 58

22 13

47

95

0 3 0 00 1 0 1

STD/STI Cases in Racine (2014-2017)Ages 15-19

(Chlamydia, Syphilis, Gonorrhea)*2017 Data is Preliminary

White

Black

Hispanic

Other

Asian

Native American

Source: State of Wisconsin, Division of Public Health, Racine City Data

CHILD SUPPORT/FAMILY COURTIn partnership with UW-Extension, the Racine County Child Support and Family Court Offices, and RKCAA, the Collaborative co-hosts an annual event for individuals who work with families.

Outcomes• Ninety-six individuals attended the Child Support/Family

Court Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) events (2016-18)

65% 67% 65% 68% 71% 72%75%73%

76% 74% 76%83% 82%

85%

37%40% 39%

43%47% 48%

55%

73% 73% 70%74% 76% 78% 78%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Total White Black Hispanic

Source: PeriData.Net-Ascension-All Saints

Breastfeeding at Discharge (2011-2017)

BREASTFEEDING INITIATIVEOne identified strategy of the Collaborative is to increase by 10% the number of black families attempting to breastfeed. Breastfed babies are less likely to die before their first birthday. Breastfeeding Friendly Racine is an initiative to ensure families are supported by increasing the number of breastfeeding advocates while informing families about breastfeeding friendly locations.Outcomes• Hired a Breastfeeding Advocate in 2018• Observed a significant increase in

breastfeeding initiation for black infants• Published a breastfeeding commentary in the

Journal Times during Breastfeeding AwarenessMonth of 2018

Community Report 2016-2018Collaborative Partners• Acelero Learning• Ascension-All Saints• Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield• Baby Express/Black Infant Health• Catholic Charities• Central Racine County Health Department• City of Racine Public Health Department• Dr. John Bryant Community Center• Health & Nutrition Service of Racine• Johnson Foundation at Wingspread• Planned Parenthood• Professional Women’s Network for Service,

Inc., Birthing Project USA• Racine County Child Support & Family Court• Racine County Home Visitation Network

• Racine County Human Services Department• Racine Family YMCA• Racine Interfaith Coalition• Racine, Kenosha, Walworth Tobacco

Coalition• Racine Unified School District• Racine Vocational Ministry• Cory Mason (66th District Representative, 2016)• University of Wisconsin-Extension of Racine

County• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee-School of

Nursing• UnitedHealthcare• University of Wisconsin-Parkside• Community Volunteers

• Breastfeeding Summit event being heldon February 5, 2019

• The next Child Support/Family Court FAQevent is scheduled for March 13, 2019

• Planning for a Get Yourself Tested (GYT) event in April 2019

• Planning for Baby Expo and Healthy TeenFair in 2019

• Planning for teen leadership engagementproject in 2019-2020

Next Steps

For more information go to healthybabiesracine.orgRacine Kenosha Community Action Agency, Inc.

phone: (262) 637-8377

Baby Expo Highlights

Outcomes• Increased sponsorships, in-kind support, and

vendor participation• Over 700 individuals attended (2016 thru 2018)• Over 420 diaper bags filled with supplies and

distributed to families (2016 thru 2018)